Kushner, Witkoff lead Russia-Ukraine talks on European security

Moscow prioritizes post-war European security framework

A source in the Russian delegation said the main aim of the new peace talks is to create a post-war security framework for Europe.

The Russian delegation source said the discussions will focus on building mechanisms to prevent security threats and improve regional stability.

The source stated, "While a settlement in Ukraine remains a matter of critical importance, it is only one part of these broader discussions". It is "subordinate to the main objective of establishing a comprehensive and indivisible security architecture for the entire continent".

France 24 reported that a comprehensive settlement will require direct engagement between Russia and European partners on broader security arrangements.

Moscow has not stated whether it will hold direct talks with European representatives during the week.

U.S. envoys Kushner and Witkoff lead mediation efforts

White House special envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are leading the United States delegation during the negotiations in Abu Dhabi on 10 and 11 November 2026.

Kushner stated that the talks address post-war security concerns and urged all sides to consider the post-war scenario. He identified four priorities for ending the war: stopping the fighting, providing security guarantees, supporting economic recovery, and delivering humanitarian aid.

The United States seeks a negotiated solution to create a sovereign, secure, and prosperous Ukraine, according to Kushner. Washington and Moscow have discussed security guarantees modelled on NATO’s Article 4 and Article 5, which cover security-threat consultations and collective defence.

He advocates for a simultaneous process where the ceasefire track and the security framework track progress together.

Experts have expressed that no breakthroughs are expected from these talks regarding Ukraine and NATO. The Moscow Times, which reports on these developments, has been designated as an undesirable organisation by the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office.

Ukraine seeks security guarantees and cessation of hostilities

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv would put forward de-escalation measures and seek a trilateral meeting of the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, and the United States to end the war permanently.

Ukraine is specifically seeking security guarantees comparable to NATO’s Article 5 to deter any future Russian invasion. The Russian delegation is led by Kremlin adviser Vladimir Medinsky and includes senior military and intelligence officials.

European leaders have increasingly sought a role in the diplomatic push.

Disagreements persist over European participation in negotiations

European leaders have urged a larger role in the United States-led diplomatic effort. A senior United States official stated, "In order to end the war, you need to have Europe at the table".

However, European consensus remains elusive due to persistent disagreements over how to engage Russia.

Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov dismissed the idea of European participation in the current trilateral talks, stating, "No one is going to invite them to the negotiating table". Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that broader security discussions will eventually require European involvement, adding that "at some stage it would be impossible to do it without the Europeans".

The European Union recently unveiled sanctions in a coordinated effort to pressure Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Russia denied the account, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov describing the United States statements as "unfounded".

Territorial disputes remain a major obstacle to peace

Territorial disputes, military restrictions and security guarantees remain major obstacles to the negotiations. President Vladimir Putin demands that Ukraine withdraw from the four regions Moscow has annexed.

He also seeks to secure the entirety of the Donetsk region, which he considers historical Russian land and a non-negotiable demand. President Putin has rejected an immediate ceasefire, arguing that such a pause would allow Ukrainian forces to regroup.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy refuses to surrender any territory that Russia has not already captured. Ukraine further rejects the precondition of ceding territory as a requirement for peace negotiations.

President Zelenskyy maintains that territorial matters can only be discussed in a direct meeting with President Putin. President Putin continues to question the legitimacy of President Zelenskyy. The United States is currently attempting to bridge these opposing demands regarding military restrictions and security guarantees.

Previous diplomatic efforts and the road to Abu Dhabi

The current talks in Abu Dhabi mark the first trilateral meeting between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States since February 2026. This is the first time Russian and Ukrainian officials have met since that same month.

During those February talks in Geneva, Russian and American negotiators spoke for more than seven hours, though they reached no breakthrough.

On 21 October, President Putin met via video link with United States envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in St. Petersburg to discuss a Europe-wide security plan. President Donald Trump later stated he was close to finalising a "big, beautiful agreement" covering Ukraine and "all of Europe" after meeting with Dmitriev at the White House.

Trump also suggested that Ukraine might emerge from the conflict in "a little bit different shape," though he did not provide details on territorial adjustments. A United States official warned that territorial issues cannot be resolved without an agreement on a post-war security framework.